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Muscat: Wholesale suppliers and hypermarkets in Oman have pledged not to increase prices of essential foodstuff during Ramadan.
Khalil Bin Abdullah Al Khonji, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) who held an interactive session with industry representatives on Monday at the chamber gave suppliers and hypermarkets orders to keep prices constant.
"Do not increase prices of essential foodstuff items during the Holy Month of Ramadan," Al Khonji said. Trade representatives agreed not to increase prices. However, perishable items like vegetables and eggs will not be included among fixed prices.
"If you can't reduce prices please try to not increase prices," urged the OCCI chairman, who has earned praise for playing a proactive role among private sector enterprises. The meeting was casual and everyone was given an opportunity to voice their views, as well as grievances.
"Consumers have suffered for the last one year," he stressed, asking traders to alleviate the suffering of people by refraining from raising prices during Ramadan. "You have made a good profit during the year, it is time to give back to the consumers," he said.
Under the chamber initiatives, last year traders had offered a common value pack to consumers during Ramadan but this year, Al Khonji suggested that each trader come with their own value packs. "Let there be competition so consumers get the most from their respective value packs."
Saeed Bin Nasser Al Khusaibi, the Chairman of the Oman Association for Consumer Protection, said that the consumers were complaining of increasing prices and the industry should look into the matter to control the same. "I think the industry should also make consumers aware of the external factors that contribute to the price rise," he suggested.
Trade representatives complained about a delay in unloading goods at the port and Al Khonji said that he had already taken up the matter with the relevant port authority.
"They have agreed to allocate more space inside as a long-term solution, as a short-term solution storage outside the port has been increased and 25 tonne trucks are now permitted to use the flyover allowing them more trips," he announced.
Some complained about the shortage of drivers, especially during Ramadan. Only Omani nationals are permitted to drive delivery vehicles in the country under the Omanisation drive.
"Over 16,000 Omanis got employment through driving delivery vehicles and we cannot ask the government to relax the rule and affect employment of these Omanis," he pointed out.
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